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Hill's $nub of U.S. companies in purchase of crystal stemware is clear
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/hill_nub_of_ny_firm_is_crystal_clear_FYR65jDt5RHnO4X4CLOaFL ^

Posted on 03/15/2010 9:52:45 AM PDT by kcvl

Hillary Rodham Clinton's State Department is spending $5.4 million to buy fine crystal stemware for American embassies -- but it won't give the US economy much of a boost.

The contract was given to a tiny Washington, DC, interior designer, which in turn subcontracted the crystal work to a Swedish firm -- snubbing such US companies as the famous manufacturer in Clinton's own back yard, Steuben Crystal of upstate Corning.

The firm didn't even get a chance to bid on the contract, which will outfit embassies and ambassadors' residences with fancy crystal for ritzy functions.

Ironically, under the no-bid contract, some of the crystal is to be custom-crafted to include the seal of the United States, although Swedes will do all of the manufacturing.

Contracting rules require any American firms that subcontract work to use a domestic firm or get a waiver.

The firm that got the contract, Systems Design Inc., is a small interior-design firm in tony Georgetown. The company, which is eligible for minority small-business contracts, does not appear to have done any similar work.

After getting the contract in September, the firm subcontracted to Swedish glassmaker Orrefors/Kosta Boda USA.

Department spokesman Darby Holladay said Systems Design couldn't find a domestic producer who could meet the 100 percent lead-free requirement, although a Steuben spokesman said it does manufacture lead-free crystal.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: crystal; hillary; nobidcontract; statedept
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1 posted on 03/15/2010 9:52:45 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: kcvl

Hillary does in NYS jobs. Corning, NY could have use a little economic boost.

Guess this is what the current administration menas when they focus like a laser beam on jobs for Americans.


2 posted on 03/15/2010 9:56:40 AM PDT by rod1
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To: kcvl

It used to be that leaded crystal was a coveted commodity. It looked nicer due to the higher refractive index, and the amount of lead that leached out into beverages in normal use was so minute as to be harmless.

Whoever makes the non-leaded product, whether Steuben or this Swedish company, will produce an item that, but for the custom seal, looks like $1 Libby glasses.


3 posted on 03/15/2010 10:00:17 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: kcvl

And the kickback?

Just asking!!!


4 posted on 03/15/2010 10:03:58 AM PDT by Carley (Are you better off now than one year ago? HELL NO!!!!!)
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To: Carley

What happened to the older crystal anyhow? Do they use each piece only once?


5 posted on 03/15/2010 10:07:19 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: HiTech RedNeck
What happened to the older crystal anyhow? Do they use each piece only once?

It was probably swiped from Special Air Mission One when it took the Clintons to NY in 2000.

6 posted on 03/15/2010 10:08:30 AM PDT by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
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To: kcvl

Unbelievable.


7 posted on 03/15/2010 10:10:25 AM PDT by denydenydeny ("I'm sure this goes against everything you've been taught, but right and wrong do exist"-Dr House)
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To: pnh102

What happened to the older crystal anyhow? Do they use each piece only once?


They canned all of the stemware. It had patriotic themes etched in them./s


8 posted on 03/15/2010 10:10:50 AM PDT by Know et al (Everything I know I read in the newspaper and that's the reason for my ignorance: Will Rogers)
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To: kcvl
The firm that got the contract, Systems Design Inc., is a small interior-design firm in tony Georgetown. The company, which is eligible for minority small-business contracts, does not appear to have done any similar work.

After getting the contract in September, the firm subcontracted to Swedish glassmaker Orrefors/Kosta Boda USA.

Neat trick

9 posted on 03/15/2010 10:12:22 AM PDT by Oratam
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To: Carley

And the kickback?

Just asking!!!

I’m guessing that Hillary’s tony home will be remodelled and redecorated pro bono at some politically convienent time in the future. Also, Hillary burnishes her “cosmo” image with her Georgetown set. Just my guess.


10 posted on 03/15/2010 10:15:06 AM PDT by equalitybeforethelaw
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To: kcvl
Hmmmmm...
I know Ikea is Swedish for particleboard

BUT

Orrefors/Kosta Boda USA. is Swedish for ???

kickbacks???
subterfuge???
middle man profit increase???
set aside go around???

11 posted on 03/15/2010 10:22:47 AM PDT by Stand Watch Listen ("Listen up people, let me be perfectly clear..I inherited the unprecedented, the unexpected.")
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To: equalitybeforethelaw

Demonstratiing, once again, that there is no depth to which this gang of thugs will not stoop to aggrandize themselves, diss the US and shower contempt on US industry and labor.


12 posted on 03/15/2010 10:24:15 AM PDT by Louis Foxwell (He is the son of soulless slavers, not the son of soulful slaves.)
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To: Stand Watch Listen

I have Orrefors stemware that I bought in the early 70’s for less than $10 per goblet. Last I price it, it was several times that per stem. It is very beautiful, so at least hillary! has good taste in spite of her poor judgement.


13 posted on 03/15/2010 10:27:58 AM PDT by mombonn (God is looking for spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.)
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To: kcvl
New York Post
14 posted on 03/15/2010 10:31:16 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham (Barry Soetoro is a Kenyan communist)
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To: kcvl
Systems Design, Inc.: "As a Minority, Woman-Owned, Small, Disadvantaged Business with 8(a) and DSLBD certification, SDI is committed to excellence in creating innovative and flexible solutions that positively reflects the aspirations of our clients."

Darlene Gardner
Interior Designer
Systems Design, Inc.
Washington, D.C.
Donation of $500 to Barack Obama

15 posted on 03/15/2010 10:31:58 AM PDT by andy58-in-nh (America does not need to be organized: it needs to be liberated.)
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To: kcvl

The Minority Firm in Georgetown that appears to never have done anysimilar work before was just founded in August by several Good Donors! This is Dispicable!! American Embassies must showcase American Made Products, and especially so when We have a Premier Crystal Maker right here-STEUBEN CRYSTAL!! uess we know that STEUBEN did not bow to the OBOZO Threats......:-(


16 posted on 03/15/2010 10:46:33 AM PDT by True Republican Patriot (May GOD Continue to BLESS Our Great President George W. Bush!!)
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To: kcvl

This was Eric Massa’s district. BTW, right next to Louise Slaugters’.


17 posted on 03/15/2010 10:53:35 AM PDT by printhead
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To: printhead

Corning, NY that is.


18 posted on 03/15/2010 10:54:23 AM PDT by printhead
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To: kcvl

B-tch of Kosovo!


19 posted on 03/15/2010 11:03:17 AM PDT by IbJensen ((Ps 109.8): "Let his days be few; and let another take his position.")
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To: kcvl

Hillary is the enemy and has always been the enemy.

Who would ever vote for this pig is a fool.


20 posted on 03/15/2010 11:04:07 AM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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